All seats sealed

The top posts have all finally been sealed, now comfortably belonging to the Lotus party who have been ruling at the Centre, and are also expected to make a come-back in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. After Ram Nath Kovind, whose election saw him take his seat as the revered Head of the country in July, M Venkaiah Naidu, comes next, securing his deal as the Vice-President, after the election that took place this Saturday August 5. Yet again securing a comfortable victory, Naidu won the elections by securing 67 per cent of the votes polled. Out of a total of 771, he received 516 nods towards his candidature. Naidu has been traversing the volatile land of political action from his glorious days of youth, beginning in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. Coming from a family of farmers, he expressed deep gratitude to our Nation and to the Prime Minister for providing the opportunity to a farmer's son, to occupy one of the highest offices in the country. He said in great exhilaration, "I am very humbled. I am also thankful to the Prime Minister and all party leaders for their support.

I will seek to utilise the vice-presidential institution to strengthen the hands of the president and secondly uphold the dignity of the Upper House." As the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, a great deal of calm, composure and diligence is expected of Naidu. He has long been applauded for his oratory skills, grasping audiences with fiery speeches. He is also one of the few leaders from the South, who mastered the Hindi language and continues to deliver in this tongue, most commonly spoken across Northern India. The BJP who just overtook the Congress to form the single largest party in the Rajya Sabha this Friday, will now have a smoother run in the Upper house which has witnessed severe disruptions in the recent past, where several bills have been stalled by protests from members of opposition parties. Yet, opposition parties continue to maintain their majority, which is unlikely to be toppled in this Modi regime. Even though Naidu secured a comfortable victory, he was up against a formidable opponent in Gopal Krishna Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

As Governor of West Bengal, Gandhi had garnered great respect. Both competitors were equally worthy of holding the Chair. Gandhi is known for his quiet intelligence, and powerful words; whereas Naidu is known for his upright diligence, and use of unmistakable acronyms and puns. Speaking of acronyms, in his speech as Vice President-elect, Naidu came up with a promising new acronym, to define the India that he will endeavour to secure. For him, this India would be a nation with: Integrated National Development Impacting All Indians, equally well. This is the mission for India, he proudly said. A long time politician, Naidu has been a champion for the rights of farmers, a most important segment who continue to form the pivot of India's policies; as even today, our economy continues to be largely agrarian. Given the rampancy of farmers' distress, manifesting in suicides, and demands of loan waivers, it is time to bring about an effective farming policy that would alleviate the position of India's most priced populace. The entire population, including members of the opposition have strong hopes from Naidu, one who has been respected across political circles. Known for hosting great luncheons, and being a jolly conversationalist; Naidu is a man who has his head in the right place. While all this rings well for the BJP, as well as for the citizens of our great country, the only draw-back would possibly be this: The absence of a strong opposition. An opposition not only posits timely criticism but also shapes and strengthens the one in power.

A strong opposition not only brings in rightful belligerence but also provides the necessary critique that is essential to the growth of any super-power. India is at a crucial juncture in its economic tenure. With China and Japan showing dips in their growth, and India presenting a rapidly growing economic nexus, a time like this optimizes the need for effective governance, and demands even more for a critical opposition. With all seats secured in favour of the BJP, the scope for this little piece of oppositional view that would further strengthen our Nation, rather than simply halt or delay actions could be missing. An opposition not only criticizes but it has a more productive role which is to critique- weigh the good and bad, polish the policy, and move ahead with greater finesse. The Congress which is dwindling is hardly an opposition. And the recent days in the Rajya Sabha has shown that parties are more willing to raise their voice and cause disruption than move ahead with a productive plan. However, having said this, Naidu still shows marks of remarkable promise, having said himself that, "There is no my party or your party. Now I am a non-party man." There are sincere hopes that being a non-party man will provide that essential productive critique that will rise above the biases of party ranks. For now though, the lotus blooms in great vigour.

While all this rings well for the BJP, as well as for the citizens of our great country, the only draw-back would possibly be this: The absence of a strong opposition. An opposition not only posits timely criticism but also shapes and strengthens the one in power. A strong opposition not only brings in rightful belligerence but also provides the necessary critique that is essential to the growth of any super-power. India is at a crucial juncture in its economic tenure. With China and Japan showing dips in their growth, and India presenting a rapidly growing economic nexus, a time like this optimizes the need for effective governance, and demands even more for a critical opposition. With all seats secured in favour of the BJP, the scope for this little piece of oppositional view that would further strengthen our Nation, rather than simply halt or delay actions could be missing.

An opposition not only criticizes but it has a more productive role which is to critique- weigh the good and bad, polish the policy, and move ahead with greater finesse. The Congress which is dwindling is hardly an opposition. And the recent days in the Rajya Sabha has shown that parties are more willing to raise their voice and cause disruption than move ahead with a productive plan. However, having said this, Naidu still shows marks of remarkable promise, having said himself that, "There is no my party or your party. Now I am a non-party man." There are sincere hopes that being a non-party man will provide that essential productive critique that will rise above the biases of party ranks. For now though, the lotus blooms in great vigour.